Reel lagging



Dec. 31, 1957 R. c. HOGAN 2,818,170

REEL LAGGING Filed March 25, 1955 mbrnous BATTI G 27 I WATERPROOF PAPER INVENTOR.

JBTTOWEY 7 I/ 26 B FIBER BOARD 21 United States Patent REEL LAGGING Raymond C. Hogan, Newark, Ohio,

Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware assignor to Kaiser Oakland, Calif.,

This invention relates to packages and more especially to packages for transporting and protecting articles ordinarily diflicult to handle and which are subject to considerable abuse in handling, such as bare or insulated cable or conductors.

More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved form of lagging for reels used to transport and store electrical conductor or cable, as well as a simplified method for applying the lagging.

The cable reels known' inthe art are usually constructed such that wooden lags extend lengthwise of the reel. They are spiked or strapped against the end flanges of the reel for the purpose of covering and protecting the conductor contents of the reel. In shipment, however, such lagging may become loose or knocked off entirely, thereby exposing the material underneath to injury. For example, if the lagging becomes loosened, dirt and material injurious to the insulation surrounding the electric conductor can then work themselves in between the individual lags and injure the material coiled on the reel. Additionally, considerable amounts of labor and expense are involved inthe attachment and removal of; such lagging. This is true whether the lags are spiked or strapped to the reel flanges and results from the, unavoidable handling of the lagging material and the necessity of cutting of the lags. In addition, furtherdisadvantages accrue to the ultimate consumer in that he must provide facilities for storage of the lagging in the event it is to be returned to the; cable manufacturer for reuse.

Accordingly, it, is a primary purpose of this invention to provide a novel reel lagging and: a package for electrical conductors which will overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and at the same time provide for economical handling, shipping and storage not only by the manufacturer who would originally package the electrical conductors, but also by the ultimate consumer in that the lagging material used in the present invention can be readily applied and removed in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum amount of labor.

It is; also an object of thisinvention to provide a novel lagging for a reel which is economical to use and which has certain inherent advantages in protecting the material du ing shipment.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a novel lagging for a conductor-carrying reel wherein the lagging material may be readily disposed of by the ultimate consumer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel lagging material which is of such a nature as to provide ample. protection for coiled conductors from weather and the attendant rough handling that results in the ordinary transportation and storage thereof.

Still another object of the, invention is to provide a novel reel lagging in which the lagging material is readily handled by workmen and which during use minimizes damage to the flanges of a conventional cable or conductor reel.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel method for packaging an electrical conductor whereby the conductor may be readily handled during transport and storage and wherein the resultant package is lighter than those previously known. The resultant package also provides adequate protection against impact, weather, rough handling and other deleterious elements to which the conductor may be exposed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel reel lagging and a method of applying the same to a reel.

Accordingly, this invention proposes as a reel lagging the use of readily disposable material which may be in the nature of inflammable paper combined with fibrous batting materials. These are applied to a cable reel in such a manner as to facilitate the transport of the reel and to provide adequate protection of the product carried by the reel during the course of its transportation and handling from the place of manufacture to the ultimate consumer.

The invention further contemplates a method of packaging coiled conductor while utilizing readily available paper andfibrous batting materials, which can be applied with ease, to a cable reel as to provide ample protection for the cable.

Briefly, the invention deals with a method of and the resultant package produced by applying an initial wrapping of relatively tough paper in the nature of fiberboard or the like to the outer periphery of the reeled conductor and intermediate the reel flanges. An intermediate Wrapping comprised of a plurality of waterproof paper layers between which is sandwiched a fibrous batting is then applied in superimposed relationship upon the fiberboard. A final covering, such as kraftboard, or a material similar to the first applied wrapping completes the lagging. The resultant lagging has been found to be relatively impervious to moisture and dirt. It also withstands rough handling and can be readily disposed of after use.

Suitable strapping elements such as are conventional in the packaging of conductor products are applied to the final wrapping and to the other individual wrappings, if desired. These strapping elements maintain the wrappingsin their proper position with respect to the conductor as will be hereinafter described.

In more particularly describing the invention, reference is made to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package formed by the method of packaging proposed herein, with certain parts broken away to indicate how the various lagging wrappings are applied;

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view through a cable or conductor package showing the conductor or cable wound on the reel and the manner in which the lagging is positioned with respect to the conductor. In particular is disclosed the method for arranging the joints of the individual lamina or wrappings of the packaging material; an

Fig. 3 is an illustrative enlarged sectional view taken through a portion of the reel lagging proposed herein.

As may be seen from the drawings, and reference is made-in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, the conductor or cable 1 is coiled on the usual reel 10 which includes a central mandrel-like member 13- and outer flange elements 12. The reel is also generally provided with conventional openings such as central aperturel'l extending through the reel components which may be used in winding, or unwinding the cable or conductor from the reel after manufacture or when being strung. As is conventional in the art, the conductor. 1 is wound in. the usual manner for storage and transport on the mandrel 131-With the outer flanges 12 of the reel 10' serving to maintain the conductor 1 in properposition with respect to-mandrel 13. Additionally, these flanges serve as a supportfor the reel when the same is being stored or transported in the usual railroad boxcar or motor truck.

After the conductor 1 has been wound in the conventional manner on the reel, the lagging is applied there to. The novel lagging method is carried out by applying a first wrapping 21 of suitable fiberboard material having the required toughness and thickness and flexibility, such as kraftboard, or the like, between the flanges 1212 and about the outer periphery of the coiled conductor. The wrapping 21 fits closely adjacent to the surface of the conductor. The edges of the covering or Wrapping are located in close yet freely movable relation with respect to the inner walls of the flanges 12. At least one suitable band or strap member 32 may be applied circumferentially of the wrapping of kraftboard to maintain the wrapping 2 in proper relation with respect to the reel. A second wrapping 25 is then applied to the resulting smooth surface formed by wrapping 21 and circumferentially of the reel. This latter wrapping 25 comprises a shock absorbent material. ly adjacent but in freely movable relation with respect to the inner walls of the reel flanges 12.

As may be seen from an inspection of Fig. 3, the shock absorbent material preferably comprises two layers 26 of waterproof paper or similar material between which is sandwiched a fibrous batting material 27. This batting material has the capacity of absorbing shock resulting from impact against the waterproof paper 26 and also has a certain amount of inherent resiliency which would tend to close up any apertures which might be inadvertently punched in or through the waterproof layers 26. At least one suitable strap or band member 33 may be passed circumferentially around the outside of the composite shock absorbent wrapping 25 and fastened to draw the same in firm engagement with respect to the innermost wrapping of fiberboard or kraftpaper board 21. Band member 33 also acts to position and maintain the composite shock absorbent wrapping 25 in proper relation with respect to the cable reel. The lagging is completed by the application of a third wrapping 22 of fiberboard or the like having the same qualities of toughness and flexibility as wrapping 21. This wrapping 22 is also held in position by the use of steel bands or straps 20 which are fastened circumferentially about the lagging and serve to compact and maintain the laminations of lagging material as a composite covering about the coiled article.

With respect to the strap members including the members 2th, 32 and 33, it is to be noted that while one member is shown in the drawings as being applied to the various wrappings beneath the outer wrap, any number of suitable bands may be so applied although it has been found that the effect of one of such bands is suflicient to maintain the intermediate wrappings in proper position with respect to the cable product.

For convenience, the usual practice in the art is to supply cable in various lengths which can be accommodated on reels of a given diameter and width. In addition, the cable is so wound that the diameter of the finally coiled cable is less than the diameter of the flanges 12 of the reel. Thus, the annular rims 14 of the flanges 12 project beyond the exposed surface formed by the last or outer wrap 22 of protective lagging.

This practice is important, particularly when the reels are stored or transported with the flange rims in contact with the supporting surface, be it vehicle floor or ground, since, for example, Water will not reach. the lagging or the coiled product with the resulting deleterious effects.

Additionally, the wrappings which contribute to the final package may be cut into standard sized sheets having a variety of standard sized widths to accommodate reels of various transverse widths and diameters; It is believed obvious then that the problem of storage of the lagging material is substantially reduced as compared with the storage difiiculties which result from the use of the usual wooden or steel lagging material.

The edges thereof are likewise positioned close- Since the various wrappings are of a given width and length, it becomes evident that joints or seams in the various layers of wrappings is inevitable.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, as indicated particularly in Fig. 2, it is contemplated that each wrapping of lagging be so disposed upon the reel that the seams or joints 28, 29 and 31 formed in bringing the free ends of a wrapping of lagging together by overlapping or otherwise will be staggered or out of radial alignment with respect to the seams or joints formed in a contiguous wrapping. This disposition of the joints of the individual layers of lagging upon the reel precludes the entry of dirt, water. or other deleterious material through the lagging and for all practical purposes effects a substantially impervious covering for the coiled article carried by the reel.

With respect to the edges of the covering material closely adjacent the reel flange 12, it is to be noted that these edges have been referred to as being closely adjacent yet freely movable with respect to these flanges. By this it is meant that the Wrapping materials are of such Width as to fit snugly between the reel flanges, but at the same time are not so snugly fitted as to preclude ready removal or application thereof by winding or unwinding of the material with respect to the coiled conductor. By so arranging the edges, the maximum amount of protection is afforded to the cable and the sifting of undesired material into the package is substantially precluded, at least within practical limits.

With respect to the composition of the materials used, reference is made in particular to Fig. 3 of the drawing. This figure is an enlarged scale view in cross-section laterally of the reel lagging showing the various wrappings superimposed with respect to one another, the strap members not being shown. As may be seen from an inspection of Fig. 3, the initial wrap is of fiberboard, such as kraftboard, or the like, on the order of of an inch in thickness. This material while relatively tough in nature is at the same time flexible enough to permit bending of the material whereby it can be made conformable with the outer periphery of the coiled stock on the reel. The second wrap 25 of a shock absorbent material comprises spaced lamina of waterproof paper material between which is sandwiched in adhesive relation a fibrous batting 27.

The use of the fibrous batting 27 in eflect provides for a self-sealing of the lagging in the event there is penetration by a sharp object. This self-sealing action is due to the inherent resiliency or spring-back qualities of the material making up the batting. Thus, the batting at the point of penetration will be easily displaced and upon withdrawal of the object will spring back and coalesce so as to etfectively seal the opening formed by the object. This tendency on the part of the batting to assume its normal condition will also cause reorientation to a greater or lesser extent of both the outer waterproof layer 26 and final outer wrapping of fiberboard 22. In addition, the resiliency of the batting material has the eflect of distributing shock imposed at any one point over a wide area, rather than localizing the etfects of the shock. As may be seen from the drawing, the shock absorbent layer is in the nature of approximately 1 inch in total thickness and material such as has been described may be purchased on the open market. The invention disclosed is thus not limited in any Way to the material per se.

From the above description it will be obvious that the package and method of packaging proposed herein provides a readily disposable, relatively light lagging for a conductor or other coiled article. They not only afford greater protection for the coiled conductor than has hitherto been obtained by known types of lagging, but in addition, they provide a light compact neat package. This package will withstand hard usage and at the same time protect the conductor from undue weathering should the same be left in a positionexposed ,to the elements.

The results flowing from use of the package proposed will be readily understood when consideration is given to the difliculties involved in the present day methods of handling such items. The reduction in weight that is afforded by the package of the instant invention results in corn siderable economies to the manufacturer and to the ultimate consumer, since it reduces transportation costs. Additionally, the protective lagging may be readily stripped from the reel and may be disposed of by burning for the most part which obviates the necessity of the consumer to provide storage space for lagging such as has been the custom heretofore. Further, the covering does not in any way affect the reel. The flanges thereof which as has been mentioned, deteriorate rapidly when the conventional Wooden lagging is applied to the pcripheral edges.

While the instant packaging method and material has been described as being applicable to a conductor or cable, it must be appreciated that the disclosed method and resultant package can be used to protect other commodities which are coiled and shipped on reels, and accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A package including a flanged reel and an electrical conductor coiled on the reel intermediate the flanges and a protective lagging for the conductor, said lagging including a first relatively stiff, hard surfaced and combustible, yet substantially impact and penetration resistant fiberboard wrapping disposed around the conductor, a second combustible wrapping in overlying relation to the first mentioned wrapping, said second wrapping material being composed of a waterproof, shock absorbent 1aminate comprised of a plurality of layers adhesively joined together, a third wrapping of fiberboard material having identical characteristics to said first mentioned wrapping disposed in overlying relation with respect to said second mentioned Wrapping, and strap means fastening the various wrappings snugly about the coiled conductor and each other, such strap means being disposed circumferentially about each individual wrapping and at least one of said strap means being axially staggered with respect to said reel and to the other strap means, said conductor and said wrappings being coiled on said reel such that the outer circumference thereof is disposed between the flanges of the flanged reel and well below the outermost peripheral edge thereof.

2. A package including a flanged reel and an electrical conductor coiled on the reel intermediate the flanges and a protective lagging for the conductor, said lagging including a first combustible wrap comprised of a material of a sufficient thickness as to be normally resistant to penetration by impact with a sharp object, a second combustible wrap in overlying relation to said first mentioned wrap, said second mentioned wrap being comprised of a waterproof laminate wherein a shock absorbent and fibrous matting is sandwiched between and adhesively bound to outer layers of a flexible waterproof paper, and an outer combustible wrap having characteristics identical to that of said first mentioned wrap whereby deformation of said last mentioned wrap by impact with an exterior object will be absorbed within and distributed through said second mentioned wrap and whereby upon accidental penetration of said second and said last mentioned wrap by a sharp object, said first mentioned wrap will still present an impact resistant barrier, strap means binding each of said wraps around said coiled conductor and each other, the outer circumference of said conductor and said lagging being disposed well below the circumferential edges of the flanges on said flanged reel whereby the flange edges will be unencumbered and said lagging is protected against accidental dislodgement and is well spaced from a supporting surface upon which said package may be placed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 929,618 Metzger July 27, 1909 1,336,403 Weiss Apr. 6, 1920 1,345,129 Clarke June 29, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS 296,638 Great Britain Sept. 6, 1928 

